Thirty

When I look back at my thirtieth birthday, I probably won't remember the gifts or the stress of getting everyone together.

I probably won't remember the Pandora, Fossil, MK, Estee Lauder, pottery, etc...

I'll remember my mom getting excited when she found the perfect charm right in front of my eyes.

I'll remember spending time in Oxford for Mrs. Martha's funeral. I'll remember Mr. Billy saying "57 years wasn't long enough".

I'll remember being shocked when SS brought me perfectly wrapped gifts complete with tissue paper and bows. I'll remember him telling me he picked it out all by himself and that he said "now you won't have to carry a purse" because mine hurts my cripple shoulder. *Hopefully, I won't remember my crip shoulder much longer...*

I'll remember Chloe being so proud of the balloons and card she gave me.

I'll remember eating at a restaurant with my parents, sister, niece and grandmother.

I'll remember watching the Frozen Sing Along with 1400 other people downtown on a Friday night while Chloe belted out every.single.song.

I'll remember the goofy conversation over Mexican food and the friends/talks on the patio.

I'll remember getting pampered with a pedicure and my first ever facial.

Yes, I love my Pandora charm. Yes, I love my new MK purse. Yes, I love my Fossil wristlet and perfume. Yes, I love my Hull pottery. Yes, I love each and every gift I received, every card, every balloon, every box of candy... BUT I would give all that up in a heartbeat to have a few more memories like the ones I've listed.

Birthday Wish List

If money grew on trees, this is just a few of the things I would buy...

It's a LV... doesn't every girl want one?

I've had my eye on a MK for a while now. I wouldn't mind opening this on my birthday!

Coach. Duh. My first 'nice' purse was a Coach that I bought for myself. I'd take this one too!

A Honda Element! Why? Because this would be so darn handy for hauling Amos around!

I'm blind. I was the kid getting glasses in 2nd grade; then contacts in 8th. I'd love to not have to wear either of those! I think it would be the best gift to wake up and be able to see clearly!

A Honda Pilot... normally this would be no where near my list, but sometimes a girl just needs a bigger SUV.

My birthstone is an emerald and those puppies aren't cheap. I would love to have a nice, emerald ring!

Ok, I AM NOT a pink person, at all, but Chloe is and that baby wants her own golf cart so bad. If I had the money I'd buy her this one! I'd put all sorts of child protecting equipment on it though. Her driving scares the beegeezus out of me!

I just whipped this up off the top of my head, but if I had more time I'm pretty sure I could come up with an even longer, more expensive list! The truth is that even if I had an unlimited amount of funds in my bank account, I wouldn't be buying too much. I'd make sure my family was comfortable (with the house of their dreams and a vehicle they would love) and that Chloe, Savannah, John Aaron and DP could go to college and not have student loans. I'd also make a huge donation to St. Jude and my church. Other than that, I'd probably just keep the rest to pass down.

Tomorrow is the day! One more day...

Twenty Nine

It's just a number, right? Wrong. It's the number closest to 30. Twenty nine is how old I'll be Friday. Am I ready to be twenty nine? No.

Currently I'm working at a job that I really like {most of the time}, living in my parent's apartment with Amos and not having much of a social life... Not exactly where I expected to be when I was younger. Everyone has a plan. I did, and I still do. It's just a whole new plan. My plan was high school, NEMCC, Ole Miss, marriage, house, dog, possibly a munchkin... ummm, so far I'm not doing that great for my "plan". Oh, well.

On the other hand, I do have so many things. So many things to be grateful for {even if they weren't part of my plan}. In honor of me turning twenty nine in two days, I think I'll make a list of twenty nine things I am grateful for... Twenty nine reasons to be excited about twenty nine.

1. God, my church, and my Bible - no explanation needed. Life's been tough lately and these things were much needed.
2. Parents - without my parents I would be... well, not sure where I would be.
3. Sister & niece - Courtney has the biggest heart and Chloe is such a hot mess!
4. Amos - let's face it... there's nothing better than a good pup. Amos lets me use him for a pillow, he likes to hug and he loves for me to sit in the floor with him while we watch TV and I rub his ears.
5. Friends - this list has changed, but definitely for the better. I'm a girl with a few friends; a few true friends. I'd rather have a few than several faux friends!
6. Babies - odd one, right? Ha! Babies.are.every.where.around.here. Whitney has little man, Ki, and he is a doll. Just a big, chunky doll with the best pinchable cheeks. Jenessa has red-headed James and he is rotten to the core. He'll just sit and stare and kick his legs and he's content that way. I rotate seeing them when I can and it's great. They're three months apart (to the day!) so they're both at different stages and it's great to watch them grow!
7. Family - I have a huge, close family. At times they all drive me bonkers (we all live next to each other), but they're family and they're already bonkers so I just fit right in.
8. My job - whew. This has been a rough one lately, but I am thankful for my job. This economy sucks. It sucks for small town, Mississippi so I'm thankful for my paycheck twice a month. I'll leave it at that.
9. Insurance - this one might be odd, but when you're blind, sickly, and have bad allergies you tend to see a lot of the doctor; plus the dentist; plus the pharmacy. Our new insurance {BCBS of AL} isn't that great about paying for things, BUT the first two doctor visits are free and all generic meds are $4 each. That's something to be thankful for!
10. Food - let's face it. I like food. The kind full of carbs. The kind that should be limited, but isn't. It's amazing how many people in the US are going without food. School is almost over and it is sad to think how many kids won't get those meals daily. We take so much for granted, but I'm thankful for the food I have and the options I have. Now... my pants might not be so thankful OR forgiving.


11. Freedom - another thing taken for granted in the US. Recently, with the Boston bombings, we had another wake-up that we are not as safe as we think we are. The second amendment is a hot topic at the moment, but the whole "Right to Free Speech" thing needs to be looked at. That's all I'm going to say.
12. Luke Bryan - no words necessary.
13. My Honda! I have had my car for 10 years, making her 11 years old. She has 170,000 miles and still runs pretty well. However, she's been ran hard for many years. I was an on-the-go college kid that wasn't friendly to the car. Last year I did something so not like me. I marched to the car dealership and bought a brand new vehicle with 31 miles on it. I love it, it's exactly what I wanted and I couldn't be happier.
14. Music - I have been introduced to so many new types of music and bands in the last year. Music is like free therapy!
15. Swiffer Sweeper-Vac - with a 200 pound dog in the house that sheds entirely too much, I am so thankful for this little contraption. I switch it on, run it around the floor and then I'm done. I don't have to lug out the big vacuum cleaner every time I need to clean the floors.
16. My own space - yes, I went from my own house, my space, my little area to a garage turned apartment and it has been a HUGE adjustment. In fact, I'm still adjusting to living in it, but I am so thankful to have a place to stay. A free place to stay.
17. iPhone - I would be lost without my iPhone. I had Internet and a laptop at my house, but now I survive on my iPhone.
18. Dr. Pepper - I'm not a coffee drinker. I used to drink Dr. Pepper a little too much, but now I've limited myself. I'm still so thankful for that pop of caffeine!
19. Fridays - Fridays don't come around often or fast enough. I need my Fridays. I usually spend that time rushing the work day away so I can either get home, put my pjs on and do NOTHING or I can throw on some jeans and meet two friends at Mike's. Either way, I'm thankful for Fridays!
20. RB's - I'm thankful for that Friday morning stop for a gas station biscuit and Dr. Pepper! I usually eat cereal, a granola bar or sometimes oatmeal, but Fridays are the day mother and I splurge.


21. Wal-Mart - say what?? Yes. Life is hectic. I am not saying I love that place, but I'm thankful for it. Big difference. It has everything. Need milk and shaving cream and a new shower curtain? Go to Wal-Mart.I'm thankful I don't have to run to multiple places to get what I need.
22. Storage units - weird thing, but it's true. Most of my "life" is packed in Rubbermaid and cardboard boxes and stuffed into a 10x10 storage unit. I'm thankful I have somewhere to put it all and keep it clean and dry while I am in this season of life. One day! One day I'll have somewhere to put it all. It'll be like Christmas opening up all those boxes. I've already forgotten about so much of what I have.
23. St. Ives - while it's not technically a wrinkle cream, it's a nice, thick lotion for my face that helps with the wrinkles! I'm thankful for that container and what it's supposed to do for me and my skin!
24. Target- That big red bullseye is like a sign from Heaven. I don't normally buy a lot from there, but I love to walk around and see what all they have. The closest one is an hour away so I'm thankful when I do get to visit. It has such neat things! Yep, just said neat.
25. Shopping trips with Jenessa - it was April and we were planning our next Jackson trip (aka Christmas!). Now that sweet little James is here I am worried about how our trips are going to change, but Jenessa says they won't. I am so thankful for that time. We load up and head north to Target, Hobby Lobby and Trees N Trends! We might swing by Pier 1 and the mall. Now I'm sure we'll add Babies R Us or Toys R Us to the list. It's just a fun day, an all day trip that we do and I'm thankful for that little time away.
26. ELF cosmetics - I love that stuff! The bronzer is the best and at $3 it's a big deal. I am thankful for cheap make-up! No, I don't get all "dolled up", but I do slather on a little 'war paint' and I hate spending big money on things like that. Thankfully, ELF has some cheap, good things to choose from.
27. Air conditioning {did you know that technically 'air conditioning' isn't what we think it is? AC can be heating or cooling, not just the way we use it in a sentence... moving on...} It's now officially May... in Mississippi... I am so thankful for that little blue dot in my car and in my apartment. I'll definitely be needing it before long.
28. Sun roofs - I've never had a vehicle before that's had a sunroof, but it is pretty dang awesome. Just having the cover part back is nice enough. I don't even have to have the window open. Just that little bit of sunlight coming in is enough.
29. Medication. Ha! Seriously. Where would we all be without medication? It is definitely something I'm thankful for. And if you know me or see me in person often you should be thankful for medication too :)

Yes, I realize those are material things, but those are things I'm thankful for. I am also thankful for things that are materialistic, but who needs to get that deep right now?

The countdown is on. Two more days.

It's OK & Letters Combined...

I have done the 'It's ok' post before and I've done the 'Dear whatchamacallit' letter, but today will be a somewhat combination of the two.

Dear February, thank goodness you are over. I'm not really a valentine's fan and it seems that that is all people dwell on in February. It's ok to rush through some days, weeks or months, but I know I don't need to rush time away. It already passes too quickly when you stop and think about it.

Dear Harry (aka Harriet the Honda), I have now owned you for one year and I love you just as much now as I did then. I'm not a fan of your monthly price tag. It's ok to buy a nice, new ride and have to watch your every penny!

Dear Dr. Pepper, I think you are wonderful; I'm sorry about not seeing you as much. It's ok to drink caffeine. Let's face it, it's probably a saving grace in the morning. Too bad I can't convince myself to drink coffee.

Dear Amos, you are the cutest dog with the sweetest/saddest face. I hate that you have yet another tumor. I mean, really? Were the first two not enough?? It's ok to love your dog, but want to give him up for adoption because he needs SO MANY antibiotics a day plus yet another growing tumor. I can think about it all I want; I know I won't really do it.

Dear today, you suck. I work at a bank, it was the first, third, Friday plus people were getting their refund checks. Today was hell. It's ok to want to grab your stuff and walk out the door. But then you remember you have to pay for Harry so you march back in.

Dear today (aka March 1st), you suck. Today would have been my fifth wedding anniversary. We had big plans for this one, but that's not happening now, obviously! It's ok to be a sad, whiny, pmsing baby today and this weekend. It's ok to eat way too much pizza tonight. It's ok to (try to) stay up late watching whatever is on tv because you don't want to lay in bed and try and sleep. It's ok to finally fall asleep and sleep as late as possible on Saturday morning. It's ok that your niece will be 20 yards away in your parents house, but you won't go visit. It's ok to do nothing. It's ok to do everything. It's ok to do whatever you want!

Birthdays!

I realized I never posted pictures of mom and Courtney's birthday cakes! Mom turned the big 5-0 this year (in August!) and we had her a surprise party. The cake tasted even better than it looked!

My sister, Courtney, turned the big 3-0 this year! One of the ladies that works with mom is starting to get into the cake business so mom had her make a cake for Courtney. It turned out great! The bow did get a little out of whack, but we made it work.

If you'll notice there are NO pictures of the birthday girls. I stink at taking pictures! I'll try to do better the next time we're together!

Chloe Turns 7?! 7?!

Way back in September my niece turned the ripe age of seven years old. I know the saying "time flies" is true, but it really does fly!  On, Saturday, September 29th we had her birthday party at the park. It's pretty new and very nice plus the weather was perfect for an outdoor party!

These were the only two pictures I took from the actual party! I was a  busy bee the whole time!

 After the party we took her to the mall to get her ears pierced and to Build-A-Bear!

Her "before" shot. She was so nervous it would hurt and she wouldn't look like a big girl!

And the "after" shot! All smiles afterwards (until we got in the car!)

 Our little tye-dyed friend was getting stuffed at this point. She was SO happy with her birthday present.

Now she's being sewed up!

The finished product!! Chloe and her bear :)

Whew! It had been a looooong day at this point. I think we were all exhausted and tired and hot and ill and Chloe was starting to hurt. You can't tell it here, but keep going!

By this point you could see she was done with faking it! That little stinger came out after this!

"Little Bit" is in 1st grade and loves it (for the most part). She has several friends and one is even our next door neighbor. She is so smart and tall so we're working on that basketball/sport scholarship! HAHA

WILW: Random

Today's WILW is going to be random, but they're things that I love, so....



I love this! I wish I could pull off this outfit, but I can't! :(



No caption needed.

I try to read this and repeat it several times a day. It's so true, yet so hard. I love that it gives me hope.

I love the way this makes me feel.

I love these two knuckle-heads. Yes, that's Chloe's pink camo 4-wheeler. Welcome to MS :) Haha



I love this couple! Nikita and Dustin were my passengers to IL and I bunked with them. They are a hoot to be around.

 I also love that I've gotten a little caught up on posts. Like this one, and this one and this one!

I love that I'm off work Friday (WOOHOO) and then I'm on vacation next week!

I love that I get to go to Memphis with this girl and her mom.

I love that I am going to Tupelo Monday, then to Oxford to see Whit, then staying the night on the Square in Oxford.

I love that I am getting to see Heather and those babies Tuesday in Southaven! I have missed them SO much!

Dangerous Daddy

First off, let me start this with a warning! My dad is accident prone- very accident prone. The man is always getting himself hurt somehow but he just keeps going.

One Wednesday night my dad called my mom and asked where she was. Then he said he had a little accident while cutting a tree stump and for her to hurry home. Luckily she was only a couple of miles away! When she got there he was sitting on the porch holding his pants leg around his thigh area. She thought he had gotten a little too excited when telling her about the accident but then he let his grip go and she saw the gash! My poor dad was cutting a stump and the chainsaw ricocheted off the stump and bumped into his thigh. He was holding the gash together to slow the bleeding. Mom loaded him up and off to the ER they went. This isn't dad's first time at our emergency room and he should know better than to go there. We have THE worse emergency room. People treat it like an after hour's doctor's office and you'll wait HOURS before being seen.

Anyway, they call to tell me what has happened but told me it wasnt serious and not to worry. However, I know my mother so I grabbed my purse and out the door I go. You see, my mom is a tough woman except when it comes to things like that. She tends to pass out so I knew she didn't need to be sitting there with him! I'm glad I went, too, because dad said she drove the 15+ miles to the ER with her face in front of the air vent peeping over the dash. Not comforting.

I'll skip the next few parts and hit the high-lights
1. Dad couldn't sit because it would stretch that area and bleed more
2. They kept telling dad to sit- see above.
3. We had to wait in line while some woman gave her information-- she was there becuase she had a stomach/headache. I was about to give her a headache. UGH.
4. I understand it isn't nice to cut in front of people, but my dad stood there sweating, pale as a ghost and bleeding while the woman was ON HER CELL instead of answering insurance questions.
5. I had a nice-leaning-over-the-counter converstaion with the lady at the check-in desk.
6. Triage went better and he was off to his room where we waited.
7. And waited.
8. And waited.

I wish I could tell you about our "adventure" but again, I'll do it in list format:
1. Every nurse he had was male. I found this odd.
2. Our "hospitality ambassador" was a fruitcake.
3. Nurse wasn't very friendly- he just dumped a COLD bottle of betodine on dad's gash- exposed nerves and all.
4. Dad didn't get any pain medication OR numbing medication until right before they stitched him up.
5. They picked out pieces of wood from the gash (see #4)
6. You could see the artery pumping, pumping, pumping
7. Different nurse came in - Michael... he was nice :)
8. Doctor was a fruitcake- almost gave dad a shot even though he wasn't sure what was in the syringe
9. Without warning the doctor stuck his finger in the gash and felt to see how bad the muscle was cut
10. 300lb dad came up and almost off the bed. Doctor was lucky to be alive.

From start to finish our ordeal was over three hours long!! They stitched dad up inside his leg (the muscle) then on the outside and sent us on our way!

Chloe was worried about her "pappy" so I told him to smile for a picture! He was NOT drugged at this point. Just faking it!

Wonder what took SOOOOO long after we got to our room?

Dad up and ready to go. Thankfully DG is right down the road from the hospital. Dad wouldn't have had anything to wear!

Welcome Baby #1- Hunter

Tuesday, September 11th Hunter Reece Miles was born weighing 8lbs 6oz. He was taken 3 weeks early (big boy), but baby and mom are doing well.

He is baby #1 of the five that are expected between now and March! His dad is one of my many cousins and his mom is a close family friend. Hunter's big brother Hayden is 5. I'm sure Stacy is more than happy to be off bed rest. She had complications toward the end of her pregnancy so she was put on bed rest.

Welcome Home, Hunter!

Weekends

I feel like I'm stuck in the same routine over and over on the weekends. Sometimes I'm very thankful for that, but others? Other times I want to shake things up a bit and do something new! Here's my "schedule":
Friday- meet Kelly at Mike's and relax/catch-up
Saturday- stay in pjs ALL day unless mother decides to make a grocery store run
Saturday night- on the couch in new pjs watching whatever grabs my attention
Sunday- church then home
Sunday night- on the couch in pjs again

There was a time in my life where I would have been jealous of anyone that had this schedule and some days I cannot wait for a lazy day. I feel like that's all I do anymore. I'm at an odd stage in my life these days. Most of my friends are married (or in serious relationships) and then the majority of the married folks are having babies! I am in neither of those categories so I feel like an odd ball at times. In this small town, there are only a FEW singles in their mid to late 20s and if they are then it's probably because there is a reason!

UGH. I miss the "girls days" and shopping days and lunch dates. I miss the movies and the gossip (not really gossip- I don't like drama...). I had this group of friends (couples) that we used to all hang out with on a week night or on the weekend. We'd take turns cooking/grilling/going out. Those "friends" are no longer my friends though. Now I spend my weeknights with my niece, mom, dad and sister. I'm NOT complaining about that at all. I'm very thankful to be back close to my family again and ALL the support they've given me in the last year. I'm becoming a couch potato and rather boring if I do say so myself.

Now... I have had a little excitement in my life. I went to IL for Mathieu's wedding and it was the most expensive wedding I've ever been to-- expensive for me! On the way to IL I was pulled over by an old man cop that was mad at the world and he gave me a speeding ticket. It was 5:00 in the morning and dark outside and raining and he STILL pulled me over. So we get to IL, watch a lovely outdoor wedding and head back to MS. Let's fast forward close to four weeks later. Guess what was in the mail waiting for me? A speeding ticket from IL! UGH. I was photographed "speeding" 5 hours after I got the first ticket. I won't go into detail, but let's just say I won't be driving in IL probably ever again!! That lovely "souvenir" is going to cost an arm and a leg.
At least now when I'm sitting home bored wishing I was out and about I'll actually have a reason to stay at home--- TWO speeding tickets.